Area: Area: 13295.55 sq km, located in between 21°48' and 22°29' north latitudes and in between 89°52' and 90°22' east longitudes. It is bounded by Gopalganj, Madaripur and Shariatpur districts on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south, Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts on the east, Bagerhat district on the west.
Ethnic Community: Munda
Rivers: Main Rivers: Bay of Bengal; main rivers: Tentulia, Kirtankhola, Bishkhali, Kaliganga, Haringhata, Burishwar, Agunmukha, Galachipa, Baleshwari, Jainty, Amtali, Meghna and Shahbazpur Channel.
M = Muslim, H = Hindu, B = Buddhist, C = Christian, O = Others
In the early 13th century, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji led the Muslim conquest of Barisal.
A second pattern of land development, Muslim pirs or Qazi went directly into uncultivated regions, organized the local population for clearing the jungles, and only later, after having established themselves as local men of influence, entered into relations with the Mughal authorities.
In 1797 the area was established as Bakerganj District but later renamed as Barisal District.
In 1947 the area was continued as a Bakerganj District, as one of four districts of Khulna Division but later renamed as Barisal District.
The Greater Barisal region (Barisal District along with five other neighbouring districts) was created as Barisal Division on 1 January 1993.